The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday tasked federal and state governments to resuscitate moribund textile industries, while urging Governor Nasir el-Rufai to retrain and reabsorb sacked government workers to reduce unemployment and insecurity in the state.
NLC Chairman in Kaduna state , Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, who commended the planned revival of intracity railway from Tsaunin Kura (Sabo Tasha) to Rigachikun by the Kaduna state government, called for effective security measures to address the rising spate of kidnapping, armed banditry and cattle rustling in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna – Abuja highway and other parts of the state. Addressing his first May Day celebration on Wednesday in Kaduna after his election with the theme, ‘Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement’, Suleiman said, “It will be recalled that the present administration disengaged a large number of civil servants from the services of the state.
We wish to appeal to Governor Nasir el-Rufai to revisit their cases with the view of reinstating those that can still be productive.
“We appeal for the payment of benefits to those that cannot be reabsorbed without further delay. This appeal became very necessary as those affected are passing through severe untold hardship that have led to serious economic and social consequences with unreversed complications, including death.
“The textile industry have been in limbo for many years with unfulfilled promises by various governments to revitalize it. Since then nothing positive has happened. We therefore strongly urge this government to make a difference by implementing all the revitalized plans to return these industries to production stage. This will reduce the unemployment problems in the state and increase revenue generation.
“Similarly, the need to intervene in the lingering crisis of the New Nigeria Newspapers Limited by the Northern governors so as to make the company resume normal production; considering its importance to the Northern region and the country at large.”
Comrade Suleiman, who tasked all employers of labour to train and retrain their employees with full payment benefits to boost their morale and increased productivity, appealed to the Kaduna state government to implement the promotion increment payment and arrears of outstanding promotions, as well as introduce micro credit scheme to help the state workers own their own houses and cater for other essential needs.
“We wish to register our appreciation to both Federal and Kaduna state governments on their efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy through the development of the agricultural sector. This sector, if properly harnessed, will create elastic opportunities for the teeming youth which will in turn lead to social stability and sustainable national development.
“However, security challenges especially along the Kaduna Abuja road, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru pose serious threat to the safety of both the workers and businesses as well as the citizenry. We therefore call on the government and all others concerned to redouble their effort in addressing this issue,” he said.
The labour leader called on INEC to address the challenges noted during and after the 2019 general elections as preparation for the 2023 general elections.
He also urged the state government to initiate programs and policies that would benefit the workers and the down trodden in the society.
